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MSS

Latest Headlines

Globalstar is targeting the second quarter for the introduction of Sat-Fi, a new voice and data service that enables customers to use their Wi-Fi enabled smartphones, tablets and laptops to connect with Globalstar's satellite network when they are outside of cellular coverage.

Globalstar wants to work with proponents of opening up the 5.1 GHz band for use by high-power, outdoor Wi-Fi equipment but only if those changes do not negatively impact Globalstar's mobile satellite services (MSS) business, a company executive said.

Efforts to open up the 5.1 GHz band for use by high-power, outdoor Wi-Fi equipment has garnered widespread support, but faces staunch opposition from one company using the band: mobile satellite service (MSS) operator Globalstar. However, the cable industry contends that new research from CableLabs and experts at the University of Colorado refutes arguments Globalstar has made to keep the frequencies from being opened up.

When Globalstar submitted a petition last month asking the FCC to allow it to use its MSS spectrum for mobile broadband, the big focus was on its plan to deploy FDD-LTE. However, the company also proposed a terrestrial low-power service ("TLPS") to be deployed before LTE, that offers wireless carriers access to what is essentially a private, licensed Wi-Fi service.

The FCC and Dish Network continued to spar over proposed rules governing Dish's wireless spectrum, with the FCC saying that Dish's plan would imperil the 1900 MHz PCS H Block, which Sprint Nextel has said it wants to bid on and use for its LTE network.

The FCC is moving forward with rules that would allow Dish Network to build out an LTE Advanced mobile network in its MSS spectrum. However, the agency's proposal will include technical rules that could affect up to 5 MHz of Dish's spectrum.

LightSquared is proposing to share spectrum the federal government uses for weather balloons. The company hopes to couple this spectrum with the L-Band satellite spectrum LightSquared already holds in an attempt to finally get its planned wholesale LTE network up and running.

Sprint Nextel and Dish Network are at odds over whether the FCC should shift part of Dish's MSS S-band spectrum by 5 MHz, a move that both companies said could have far-ranging consequences for their long-term LTE plans.

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